World of Faeries comes to South Elgin

For kids of all ages, Ren Faire junkies or those who enjoy costume play and swordfighting, the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin offers a chance for escapism.

“It’s like a Renaissance Faire, but on a smaller scale,” said Gloria Yeager of Crystal Lake, who started the festival in 2005 with her husband David.

Now in its seventh year, the fantasy-themed festival will be filled with pirates, fairies, knights, imps, ogres and other creatures. Visitors are encouraged to attend in costume.

Kids will be kept busy with a special quest to find the seven rainbow fairies of the Elven Star, Yeager said.

“The families are given a list of questions and they get prizes,” she said. The festival’s theme is “Celebrating the Elven Star.”

The merriment takes place at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7. Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free for children 12 and younger. If five adults carpool, they will be admitted for $8 apiece. Parking is free.

Be sure to hit the ATM on your way to the park, as admission is cash only.

Entertainment and activities include swordfighting, storytelling, a fairy tea party, Geoff Akins’ bubble show, falcons from the Spring Valley Nature Center, and belly dancing. Musical performers will include Patchouli, Magic Mama, Andy Young and Randy Granger.

New this year, Yeager said, are mother-daughter tea parties.

“We scheduled several seatings, because (mothers) wanted to participate with their daughters,” Yeager said.

Clothing, sculptures, pottery, jewelry and bath products are among the items sold at the vendor village, featuring 49 fantasy artists and craft vendors. Visitors without costumes can be outfitted from head-to-toe at the fairy dress shop, Yeager said.

“We also have face painters, and two hair braiders,” she said.

Food vendors will sell hot dogs, chicken, Italian sausage, potatoes and brick oven pizza. If you’d rather bring your own food, no worries, says Yeager.

“There is a picnic area where families can bring their own picnic.”

Leave the beer at home, though — Yeager said this is an alcohol-free event.

For details, visit the website at theworldoffaeries.com.